Derrill Fussell has spent his life doing the kind of work where being precise matters, and being honest matters more.
Skagit Valley roots
Derrill has deep roots in Skagit County. He farmed the Skagit Valley for twelve years and rose to General Manager of the largest flower bulb farm in the world. He and his wife raised their three daughters in Mount Vernon, where they still call home.
An inventor and a builder
Derrill later moved into the high-tech sector, where he invented and patented a removable hard drive system that helped shape modern computing. He went on to serve as CEO of a technology company whose advanced computer upgrades were recognized by the National Security Agency as critical for government use.
Trust at the highest levels
That expertise earned him the highest civilian security clearance granted in the United States — a level of trust extended only to those whose judgment, discretion, and integrity have been tested at every stage of a career. Holding that clearance, Derrill has worked as a contractor at the West Wing of the White House and at the Pacific Naval Command Center (NIWC Pacific). In February he visited Vandenberg U.S. Space Force Base in Santa Barbara, California, as an observer.
A storyteller for the next generation
Education has always been part of the work. Derrill has two semesters of college, with his most recent studies completed at Skagit Valley College. Passionate about early childhood literacy, he has authored and published ten children's books under the pen name Dr. Qooz — work that helps children understand kindness, curiosity, and the world around them.
“Trying to get children to read without colorful pictures is the equivalence of teaching a child to ride a bicycle blindfolded. Reading to your child until they say ‘Stop!’ is the greatest college education you can give your child — for free.”
Why Coroner. Why now.
The biggest challenge facing coroner's offices nationwide is information delays that prevent families from finding closure. One year ago, Derrill's only son was killed in a single-car crash. The mandatory autopsy process left the family without control over the timing for closure or funeral arrangements.
As Coroner, Derrill will ensure families have a direct line of communication, so they receive timely updates and the support they need during the most difficult moments of their lives.
Qualifications for the office
Both candidates in this race meet the basic requirements for the office: registered voter, no prior experience as a coroner. The winner will receive comprehensive formal training and certification from the State of Washington after the election. What the voters provide is something the state cannot: the character of the person who will hold the office.
Why Derrill Fussell
With decades of hands-on experience and a lifetime of navigating real-world challenges, Derrill brings a depth of perspective and wisdom that only extended time can forge — effectively more than doubling the practical qualifications he can offer compared to someone earlier in their journey. His roots run deep in the Skagit Valley, and he has earned the highest levels of trust in both local agriculture and national security.
A neighbor first
Derrill lives in Skagit County. His commitments are to its families, its first responders, its hospitals, and its tribal nations. He is ready to complete the state's required training and to serve Skagit County families with dignity, compassion, and distinction.